Scholars Wall
"It means a lot that you chose to invest in me as a recipient of this scholarship. I will do my best to make you proud."
University always felt like something that happened to other people – the friends I grew up with, the ones who went the junior college route. I chose polytechnic instead, not entirely sure where it would lead. Three years and a Diploma in Business later, I secured a place in SMU's College of Integrative Studies.
Along the way, I made it onto the Director's Honours List in Temasek Polytechnic, ranking in the top 10% of my cohort, and I was honoured to receive the Ngee Ann Kongsi Most Outstanding Overcomer Award.
The scholarship covered the unsubsidised portion of my wheelchair-accessible transport to school, along with medical supplies and other essentials for my studies. Without it, my family would have had to carry those costs on top of everything else.
I hope to pursue law. Courtroom advocacy may not be the path for me, but I'd like to work in legal research, to help protect vulnerable individuals and advocate for stronger disability rights and greater inclusivity.
To our donors: Thank you for trusting my potential, even when my grades were not the most impressive. It means a lot that you chose to invest in me as a recipient of this scholarship. I will do my best to make you proud.
Gwyn Lim · SAWL Scholar 2021, 2022 & 2023 · Spinal Muscular Atrophy type two and trilateral retinoblastoma.
“If I did not get the scholarship, I would have no achievements like these.”
I'm currently studying Automotive Engineering at ITE College West, and I recently completed an internship at SCW Automotive. Over the past year, I’ve been working towards my motorcycle licence and building my own desktop computer. For the first time, I've also started saving money for the first time. If I did not get the scholarship, I would have no achievements like these.
Being hearing impaired makes it hard to find work. Some employers turn away people with disabilities, and it can be difficult to understand people properly. That's why the scholarship has helped so much. Part of it goes to my parents for the household bills, and the rest covers school costs, emergencies and some of my motorcycle lessons.
After I graduate, I hope to work while I wait to start a work-study diploma or go to polytechnic. I'd also like to try something new, like interior design. One day, I want to stream games on YouTube and TikTok from the computer I'm building.
To our donors: Thank you for your donations. You are amazing, kind-hearted people who have helped us work towards our goals. Bless you all!
Muhammad Elfy Zulkhairi Bin Elfien · SAWL Scholar 2025
· Hearing impairment
"Being recognised as a scholar has helped build his confidence – he knows he can achieve what he wants in life." – Jui Lin (Jude's mother)
I'm currently studying Retail and Online Business at ITE College West. It started with an attachment at a recycling company, where I worked as a clothing packer – that’s what got me interested in this area of study.
Since then, I've done an industrial attachment with The Green and Purple Movement (a subsidiary of Ray of Hope), which helps persons with disabilities find employment. My goal is to become a retailer or sales coordinator.
The scholarship gave me a real morale boost. It also meant I could go with my family on a trip to Europe and finally see the Eiffel Tower – something I'd been saving up for and loved every bit of. I'm looking forward to finishing my course and starting work doing something I enjoy.
To our donors: Thank you for the money and the opportunity!
Jui Lin (Jude’s mother): This scholarship has given Jude the confidence that he can achieve what he wants in life. Thank you so much — you are investing in the future and making a big difference in the lives of the scholarship recipients.
Jude Ler · SAWL Scholar 2025
· Global Developmental Delay
"My teacher once told me that because of my disability, whatever I do will have a higher impact. I want to channel that into giving back."
I studied Political Science at SMU. With a fearless spirit, I completed several internships across markets and industries while finishing my undergraduate studies, and knew by then that the ad world was for me.
Since graduating, I've done advocacy work for disability inclusion, including a Channel 8 documentary and a children's book, “Short Of Nothing” – a collaboration with my secondary school teacher based on my childhood growing up years.
The scholarship enabled me to complete school without worrying about my school fees. But its bigger impact was personal: it was the first scholarship I’d ever received, showing that one’s condition does not determine his or her ability to succeed. Being recognised as a scholar gave me the confidence to work harder - my GPA improved consecutively every semester after that.
My teacher once told me that because of my disability, whatever I do will have a higher impact. I hope to continue to show the world that it is okay to be different, that persons with disabilities are able to do well, and do good.
To our donors: Thank you for your goodwill and support. The honor is mine and I am very grateful. Scholarships like this ensure persons with disabilities are included, and not left behind. I hope it continues to help many others as we make Singapore a better home for all.
Lee Ci En · SAWL Scholar 2016 & 2019 · Short-limb Dwarfism (Achondroplasia)
“What may seem like a small amount to one person can make a significant difference in someone else's life.”
I'm currently studying Communication Design at Temasek Polytechnic. What I enjoy most about design is that it can do more than look good. It can carry a message that makes people stop, reflect, or see things from a different perspective.
This year, I did my internship at the Singapore Children's Society, working on social media and marketing.
The scholarship has helped me in very practical ways. It paid for materials for my school projects, and a new mouse when my old one started giving trouble – my posters and videos improved because of it. It also paid for my school lunches and for my hearing aid batteries, which need replacing every week. On top of that, I've been able to spend more time on my studies instead of working on the weekends.
I'd love to work for a cosmetics brand one day, combining design with something I've always loved by creating branding, campaigns, and packaging that resonate with people.
To our donors: Thank you for your generosity and kindness. Your support has allowed me to focus on my studies and worry less about money. What seems like a small amount to one person can make a real difference in someone else's life. I know, because it did in mine.
Nurul Alisyah bte Anuar · SAWL Scholar 2025 · Hearing impairment
Here is a zine I made!
Thank the Donors
Room at the Table
Giving Hope to All
'ROOM AT THE TABLE', a music video featuring SAWL Scholarship Fund holders was made as a fundraising project by SAWL, to raise funds for the SAWL SCHOLARSHIP FUND.
Starring in the music video are singer and co-producer Ms Rani Singam, Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Indranee Rajah, who is also Patron of the Fund, Mr Gregory Vijayendran S.C, (Law Society's President), Mr Philip Jeyaratnam S.C, more than 20 SAWL members and three previous recipients of the Fund. The music video is a beautiful rendition of Charlie Lim's "Room at the Table" which appeals for more graciousness and inclusivity in our society.
Through this Fund, we not only assist students with disabilities to meet their educational and living expenses, we hope to bring them one step closer to achieving their dreams and aspirations.
Your support can help us to help more students! Start by donating today!
Our special thanks to the following:-
Dentons Rodyk for being the presenting sponsor of this fund-raising project
Chok Kerong
Ellen Lee Geck Hoon
MINDS
Pavane Recording Studio
The Make Up Room
NVPC - Towards a City of Good
Featured Scholars
We first met Muhammad Daniel at #PavaneRecordingStudio. He studies at MINDS Lee Kong Chian Gardens School. Daniel was reserved and slightly apprehensive about having to sing. However, Rani Singam made him so comfortable that he sang with confidence as you can see from the music video. Daniel is grateful to have received the SAWL Scholarship.
Having received the SAWL Scholarship in 2019, Lee Ci En was able to complete his degree in SMU. It gives SAWL great pride to know that the #SAWLScholarshipFund has helped Ci En achieved his dreams of completing his studies and becoming gainfully employed. Ci En has the jolliest personality and is warm and easy going.
Nurul Nadia Shazlinda Binti Amran studies at MINDS Lee Kong Chian Gardens School. Nadia is a very shy girl but with encouragement from our SAWL members during the filming of the music video, Nadia warmed up and was smiling.